Counting tube system



May 15, 1962 o. F. HAMANN 3,035,202

COUNTING TUBE SYSTEM Filed April 21. 1959 COUNTING PULSE N PUT l\ m a v g m INVENTOR.

v OMEIZ E HAMANN ATTORNEY:

l: as

RESET PULSE INPUT :ited States atent Patented May 15, 1962 lice of Delaware Filed Apr. 21, 195% Ser. No. 807,839 14 Claims. (Cl. 315-8.5)

This invention relates to a counting tube system and more particularly is directed to cathode ray counting tube apparatus wherein a series of pulses may be counted through the deflection of an electron beam within an evacuated envelope by each of the electrical pulses to be counted.

Cathode ray tubes have been used in the past to count electrical pulses. Such tubes have the advantage of reducing and simplifying the circuit complexity of counting systems. However, known cathode ray counting tubes have been plagued with the problem of not being able to hold the electron beam at any particular number or count for any period of time, or being able to maintain a stabilized condition at any particular count when the electron beam is held at a particular position or count. The ability of known cathode ray counting tubes to hold their electron beams at a particular position or count is further complicated when it is desired to provide a continuous output energy level that reflects the count at which the counting tube ceased to receive input pulses.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide cathode ray counting tube apparatus having a simplified construction and circuit arrangement capable of counting electrical pulses at high speeds, stopping at any particular count and reflecting the output of the count in a stabilized condition for a desired period of time.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cathode ray tube counting system that will stabilize the deflection of the electron beam at each of its deflected positions.

In accordance with this invention, a cathode ray tube is provided that is capable of receiving electrical pulses and through an electrostatic deflection system, deflecting an electron beam to predetermined target electrodes at the end of the tube in accordance with the number of electrical pulses received. The target electrodes consist of at least one individual electrode for each count indicia desired with each electrode being electrically connected to an output circuit. When the electron beam impinges on one of the target electrodes, at secondary emission condition occurs creating a positive voltage condition on the target electrode. The deflection system comprises generally an electrostatic plate on one side of the electron beam and a plurality of electrostatic plates positioned on the opposite side of the electron beam. The input pulses to be counted are received by the single electrostatic plate which deflects the electron beam to a particular target electrode. The plurality of electrostatic deflection plates are each electrically connected to a particular one of said target electrodes. The positive condition generated on the target electrodes is refletced as a positive condition to its electrically connected deflection plate. This positive condition on the one of the plurality of electrostatic deflection plates causes an electrostatic deflection field sufiicient to deflect the electron beam to the corresponding target electrode after the subsidence of the counted input pulse. Since the electrostatic deflection plates have a rapid response time, the ability of the counting system to count electrical pulses is normally limited only by the length of the incoming pulse and the timing necessary between pulses. Thus, the system is capable of counting electrical pulses at a very high speed. When the electron beam is deflected to contact an individual one of the target elec-' trodes, the beam is caused to impinge upon the upper edge of the target electrode as will more clearly be described later in the specification. This creates a condition that stabilizes the electron beam at the degree of deflection required to hold the beam on the particularly designated target electrode.

The exact nature of this invention as well as other objects and advantages therefor will be readily apparent from consideration of the following specification relating to the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating the counting tube and connecting circuitry;

FIGURE 2 is a graph of the input voltage waveform and the voltage waveform generated on the target electrode by the electron beam;

FIGURE 3 is an illustration of the manner in which the electron beam contacts an individual one of the target electrodes; and

FIGURE 4 is a modification of the present invention.-

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views,'in FIGURE 1 a specific embodiment of the invention is shown comprising an evacuated envelope 10 that may be constructed of glass or other suitable material. Positioned at one end of the envelope 10 is a cathode 12 that is capable of generating electrons in response to an energizing current from a high voltage source 31 through resistor 38. Control grid 13, positioned in close proximity to the cathode is capable of controlling the emission of electrons therefrom and is biased through line 40 by potentiometer 39 connected across biasing voltage source 32. Accelerating and lensing electrodes 14 form the plate for the cathode grid arrangement of the electron gun'll and also focus the electron beam to a desired cross sectional area at the targets. the high voltage source 31 through line 37. The lensing electrodes are supplied with a potential through line 34 and line 37. The electron gun 11 is thereby capable o projecting an electron beam toward the target end 0f the cathode ray envelope 10 .with a speed, magnitude and beam shape corresponding to the potentials supplied t the cathode 12, grid 13, and lensing unit 14. e The deflection means 15 comprises plate 16 and the group of plates 17. These plates function in the manner of electrostatic deflection plates with plate 16 hav-. ing a potential at one point in the deflection of the elec-I tron beam and one of the plurality of plates 17 subse-v quently having another potential as is required in a two plate electrostatic deflection arrangement. The potential existing at any interval of time on plate 16 or on one of the plates 17 determines the degree to which the electron beam 21 will be deflected in its passage to the targets 19. Initially electrostatic plate 16 receives a negative input pulse 28 of amagnitude determined by the negative potential of the incoming pulse 28 to be counted. Capacitor 29 and variable resistor '30 diiferentiate the square wave pulse 28 providing an input pulse to plate 16 having a waveform shape 60 as shown in' 2A of FIGURE 2. The negative condition on plate 16 causes the electron beam to be deflected in a direction away from plate 16. Positive voltages having a waverv form 61, shown in 213 of FIGURE 2, are separately impositive charge on any of plates 17 coact in time to de: l

The plate of unit 14 is energized from.

3 fleet the electron beam 21 in a direction toward the plates 17 and away from plate 16.

As shown in FIGURE 1, each of the electrostatic deflection plates 17 has a surface area smaller than the surface area of electrostatic deflection plate 16. In operation, plate 16 is required to deflect the electron beam 21 in connection with plates 17 from one of the target electrodes 19 to the next succeeding one. Accordingly, the size of plate 16 and the magnitude of the incoming pulse 23 may be adjusted to provide the amount of deflection to accomplish this purpose. Each of the electrostatic deflection plates of the plurality of plates 17 has identical surface areas as shown in FIGURE 1. However, this is not a requirement of the invention since the potential impressed on any of plates 17 may be selectively varied by variable resistor 27, in a manner that will be more clear hereinafter, to equalize the deflective force of plates that vary in size. Since each of the plates 17 is displaced a different distance from the path of the undeflected electron beam, each plate with a similar potential magnitude impressed thereon will be :apable of deflecting the electron beam a different amount. The magnitude of the potentials supplied to plates 17 and their individual areas and displacement from the undeflected path of the electron beam is govsrned by that electrostatic field intensity necessary from :ach of the plates to maintain the electron beam in a lesired deflected condition after the deflecting potential on plate 16 has discharged. In staggering the deflecion plates 17 as shown in FIGURE 1, identical potential nagnitudes applied sequentially to the plates will, for extmple, cause plate 58 to deflect the electron beam an tmount greater than plates 55, 56 or 57. Thus, plate 57 will be used to hold the deflected electron beam 21 target electrode 44 and each of the succeeding plates l7 through 56, 55 to plate 58 will be capable of holding he deflected beam 21 on a corresponding one of the arget electrodes as the distance of each electrode from :lectrode 43 increases.

In FIGURE 1 when a positive potential exists on )late 58 and no negative potential is present on plate 16, he electron beam 21 will be deflected at its point f massing plate 58 and will contact electrode 46. Ac- :ordingly, when a positive potential exists on plate 57 .nd no negative potential exists on plate 16, electron :eam 21 will then be deflected at its point of passing llate 57 and will contact electrode 44. This same conlition exists with each of the plates in the plurality of b18165 17 in that when a positive potential is impressed n each of the plates, the electron beam will be delected at the point of passing that particular electrotatic plate. Accordingly, there is shown in FIGURE 1 plurality of electron beams 21 that is representative of he deflection of each of the electron beams by the inlividual ones of the deflection plates 17. However, it s to be understood, and it will be readily apparent later, hat at one time only one of the plurality of beams 21 s being deflected. The plurality of beams 21 merely epresent or illustrate the operation of the entire system nd are not reflective of the operation at any one time. .he showing is merely for explanatory purposes.

Each of the target electrodes 19 is insulated from the ther and is connected to electrical conductors 22 which ass through the envelope end 18 to an output circuit. Bach of the electrodes 19 is constructed of material apable of electron emission greater than one when sub- :cted to the impact of the electron beam 21. Thus, (hen the electron beam 21 is impinged on one of the arget electrodes 19, the target electrode in response to npact of the electrons in the electron beam 21 emits greater number of secondary emission electrons than he number of impinging electrons. These secondary mission electrons are collected by a positive biased col- :ctor ring 20. The emission of electrons by the target lectrodes 19 creates a positive voltage on the respective electrodes whose magnitude is dependent upon the number of electrons in the electron beam 21, the degree to which the electron beam 21 actually contacts the electrodes 19, and the speed of the electrons within the electron beam. Collector ring may take the form of a conductor having a positive charge thereon as shown in FIGURE 1, or it may comprise a positive charged screen that overlays but is spaced from the target electrodes 19. An electrical connection exists between each of the target electrodes 19 and a corresponding one of the electrostatic deflection plates 17 with the exception of target electrodes 43 and 46. When a positive voltage is created on the target electrodes 19, this positive voltage is reflected through its corresponding electrical connections 22 and 23 to its corresponding electrostatic deflection plate in the plurality of electrostatic deflection plates 17. Further, electrical conductors 22 are connected to output lines 24 that reflect the positive condition on the individual target electrodes through output terminals 25. Variable resistors 27 connect each of the output lines 24 to ground to thereby provide a return circuit for the flow of current resulting from the voltage condition created on target electrodes 19 in response to the contact of the electron beam 21. The potential magnitude that exists on deflection plates 17 and the output circuit is that voltage drop which exists across variable resistors 27. The output terminals 25 would normally be expected to be connected to a high impedance load, thus reducing the current draw from the voltage condition on target electrodes 19.

The specific embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1 uses a negative input pulse 28 in conjunction with the creation of a positive voltage condition on the target electrode through secondary emission. This generally requires a high velocity electron beam 21 for impingement on target electrodes 19. However, the system can also operate, and it is deemed to be within the invention to so operate, where the input pulse 28 is positive and the electron beam 21 is reduced in velocity sufiflciently to not create a secondary emission condition on target electrodes 19, but rather a negative condition. In this manner of operation, the voltages on the plurality of deflection plates 17 would be negative while the potential on plate 16 would be positive. The system would operate in substantially the same manner as that stated with respect to FIGURE 1, except the electron beams 21 would be deflected toward plate 16 rather than as shown.

The electron counting tube apparatus, as disclosed in FIGURE 1, operates in the manner as follows. The cathode 12 is biased by the negative potential of high voltage source 31 through resistor 38 and in response thereto is capable of emitting electrons to electron beam 21. The other end of the high voltage source 31 is connected by line 37 to the plate 14 of the electron gun 11. Accordingly, depending upon the control potential on the control grid 13, an electron beam is generated and projected toward the target electrodes 19. The magnitude of the electrons in the electron beam is determined by the bias potential on the control grid 13 which may be adjusted through potentiometer 39. Potentiometer 39 may take any form such as the output voltage of an electron tube or any other means for controlling or switching a biasing potential to the control grid 13. In operation the control grid 13 is biased through potenti-- ometer 39 to the point that the magnitude of the potential on grid 13 gives the desired number of electrons to the electron beam that will provide the desired potential on target electrodes 19. The acceleration applied to the electron beam 21 by the gun 11 is that required to provide desired secondary emission. Initially the elec- 'tron beam 21 is projected along the longitudinal axis of the tube or in the. undeflected path of the electron beam 21 to target electrode 43. This is indicative of a zero count inasmuch as no potentials 28 have been received by the deflection means 15. When an initial pulse 28 is received at the input, it passes through a differentiating circuit comprising condenser 29 and variable resistor 30 to the deflection plate 16. A square wave pulse 28, after being differentiated by the differentiating circuit provides an input pulse to deflection plate 16 having a waveform 60 as shown in FIGURE 2. This negative pulse causes the electron beam 21 to be deflected to the next succeeding target electrode 44. The electron beam impinging upon target electrode 44 causes a positive potential to be created thereon in the manner aforesaid. This positive voltage on target electrode 44 reflects through electrical connection 48, through line 51 to electrostatic deflection plate 57 and creates a positive condition on plate 57. The rise in the positive potential condition on electrostatic deflection plate 57 follows the waveform configuration 61 as shown in FIGURE 2. Accordingly, during the time interval that the spiked waveform 60 is decreasing on plate 16, the positive potential of the waveform 61 on plate 57 is increasing. Thus, it is readily apparent that the control over the electron beam in its deflected position to target electrode 44 is transferred from the deflection plate 16 to the deflection plate 57. Following the passing of the input pulse the electron beam is now held in its position of contacting electrode 44 solely by the positive potential that exists on deflection plate 57 in response to the impingement of the electron beam 21 on target electrode 44.

The next succeeding input pulse 28 to be counted'causes the electron beam 21 to be deflected to the next target electrode 45. Normally the magnitude of the input pulse 28 on electrostatic deflection plate 16 is insufficient by itself to deflect the electron beam to any degree greater than that required to deflect the beam to target electrode 44. However, at the time of receiving the next succeeding pulse 28, a positive voltage condition still exists on electrostatic deflection plate 57. The force of this positive voltage condition combines with the force of the negative voltage condition on deflection plate 16, as a result of the input pulse, to deflect the electron beam to the next succeeding target electrode 45. When the electron beam 21 leaves the target electrode 44 to traverse the space between target electrode 44- and target electrode 45, the voltage condition existing on target electrode 44 and on plate 57 will dissipate through normal circuit losses in a manner that it will aid plate 16 to deflect the beam to the next target electrode, but will not remain to interfere with the deflection caused by the potential on plate 56. To maintain the voltage condition on deflection plate 57 for the interval of time required for the electron beam to bridge this gap, a condenser 26 is placed across the resistor 27 to ground. In the manner just described the electron beam 21 is successively deflected to each of the target elements 19 providing successive counting levels to the output circuit 25.

When the tenth input pulse is received by the counting circuit, the electron beam will be impinged upon target electrode 46. This target electrode is electrically connected to condenser 42, which reflects its positive condition and thereby raises the potential on cathode 12 causing the electron gun 11 to be biased to a momentary cut oil condition since the grid bias remains the same. An electron tube circuit may be inserted between condenser 42 and line 41, if desired, for supplying cutofl potentials to cathode 12 with the tubes control grid being controlled by the positive potential through condenser 42. With the electron beam at the cut ofl condition, all charges existing on any of the target electrodes 19 will then be dissipated. This blanking of the electron beam will result in a re-energization of the electron beam after the dissipation of the positive charge on target electrodes 19. The electron beam will now again be projected toward target electrode 43 and can then again be run through a ten count. During the interval the electron beam is directed onto target electrode 46, a positive carry over pulse will be be supplied to output line .74. This pulse may be utilized by output circuitry to register decades in connection with the beam being returned each time to Zero count thereby permitting the unit to function as a decade counter. Thus the counter arrangement shown in FIG- URE 1 is capable of counting in decades. Should the count be stopped at any particular number within the decade, the beam will be held in this condition while the count is being continuously reflected to output circuit 25. The countermay be started again at the last preceding number or it may be reset to zero through a positive resetting pulse supplied to line 41 through the reset pulse input. The reset pulse provided at line 41 will operate to bias the cathode to a cut ofl condition, blanking the gun 1-1 and returning the beam 21 to its point of impact onto target electrode 43.

Since the electron gun is normally operated under a grid control bias through line 40, but at the time of cut off it is operated under a constant grid bias with a cathode control bias through line 41, a bypass condenser 33 is provided. This bypass condenser 33 bypasses to ground any positive input pulses supplied to the cathode 12 that would also reflect through resistors 38 and potentiometer 39 to the grid 13. Accordingly, the bypass condenser 33 holds the grid 13 at the potential established by potentiometer 39 regardless of the momentary positive pulses that may be supplied to the cathode 12 through the reset pulse circuit or through condenser 42.

To provide stability in holding the electron beam in its deflected condition at any particular count by one of the positively charged electrostatic deflection plates 17, a constant flow of current through resistors 27 to ground insures that a positive potential of a predetermined magnitude will normally be held on the target electrodes 19. The flow of electrons to the target electrodes is of substantially a constant magnitude through static control by the control grid 13. However, to insure complete stability, the electron beam 21 is deflected in a manner that the beam contacts the upper edge of the individual target electrodes 19. Thus, only a portion of the electron beam 21 contacts the edge of the electrodes 19.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the electron beam 21 is con-- tacting the upper edge of the target electrode and the remaining portion of the beam is dissipated on the end of the cathode ray envelope 18. The deflection of the electron beam in this manner is accomplished as follows. When the beam is initially deflected to contact one of the target electrodes 19, it causes thereon a positive voltage of the Waveform shown as 61 in FIGURE 2.

This increase in the voltage waveform being reflected to a corresponding one of the plurality of deflectionplates 17 holds the electron beam in'its deflected con-' plates 17 causes the electron beam to pass from the bottom edge of the target electrode 19 to the upper edge of target electrode 19and off the edge of the target electrode as shown in FIGURE 3. At the point the electron beam passes off the edge of target electrode 19, the secondary electrons that are emitted as a result of the electrons contacting electrode 19 decrease, thereby decreasing the positive potential on the target electrode and accordingly its corresponding deflection plate. Thus, it is readily seen that the electron beam will reach a point of equilibrium at which point the deflectionpotential required to deflect the electron beam will equalize with the voltage potential that is generated on target electrode.

7 it", as a result of its impingement by the electron bearm 51. Accordingly, the beam may be held on any desiglated one of the target electrodes for any predetermined ength of time. Further, variable current drain through )utput 25 will not cause instability of the electron beam: aince it automatically compensates for such variations- The illustration shown in FIGURE 4 is a modification )f the arrangement of the plurality of electrostatic deflecion plates. As shown in FIGURE 1, the plurality of :lectrostatic deflection plates 17 is placed in a varying :paced relationship relative to deflection plate 16 and the. :lectron beam 21. In the modification shown in FIG-- JRE 4, the plurality of electrostatic deflection plates 53 is positioned in an inline arrangement. The exterior :ontrol circuitry of the showing in FIGURE 1 operates: 11 the same manner with respect to the modification .hown in FIGURE 4. In FIGURE 4, each of the elecrostatic plates of the plurality of plates 63 deflects the :lectron beam the same amount. However, as stated :arlier, the electron beam is subject to deflection at its. )oint of passing the particular electrostatic deflection )late that is energized at the time. Accordingly, as each .ucceeding one of the electrostatic deflection plates 63 is :nergized, the electron beam is thereby deflected at a liflerent point along its path to the end of the tube. 3y arranging the target electrodes 19 in a manner that hey will be contacted by the electron beam as they are leflected in the manner shown, the unit can then operate n the same manner as disclosed in FIGURE 1.

When the counter is initially set up for operation, the nagnitude of the electrons in the electron beam is estabished through the control of potentiometer 39. Thus, he magnitude of the potential required for each of the arget electrodes is thus established. However, many imes it is desirable to have an added means of control )f the potential magnitude on each of the target elecrodes. This is of advantage in adjusting the potential hat is later impressed upon the plurality of deflection lates 17, or that output potential that is reflected to the utput circuit 25. Accordingly, individual potentiometer :ontrol is present on each of the resistors 27 that permit he potential on each of the target electrodes 19 to be :electively varied.

I claim:

1. A counting tube system capable of counting elecrical pulses comprising in combination, an evacuated enelope having at one end means for generating and proecting an electron beam, a plurality of target electrodes For responding to Contact by said electron beam and for roviding output pulses reflecting the number of times laid electron beam is deflected, said output pulses having ;ubstantially the same voltage levels, beam deflection neans for successively deflecting said electron beam to arch of said target electrodes in response to said electrical ulses to be counted, each of said target electrodes being :onn'ected directly to a different portion of said beam leflection means, and reset means for de-energizing said eam generating means after a certain count of electrical aulses have been received by said deflection means.

2. A counting tube system capable of counting elecrical pulses comprising in combination, an evacuated :nvelope having at one end means for generating and arojecting an electron beam, a plurality of target elecrodes for responding to contact by said electron beam and for providing output pulses reflecting the number of imes said electron beam is deflected, each of said target nectrodes having a voltage condition generated thereon 11 response to contact by said electron beam, individual eam deflection means for successively deflecting said :lectron beam to each of said target electrodes in response said electrical pulses to be counted, each of said beam ieflection means in response to said voltage condition of )ne of said target electrodes being connected directly to 1 corresponding target electrode for stabilizing said electron beam in the deflected condition to contact said one of said target electrodes until a subsequent electrical pulse to be counted is received by said deflection means, reset means for returning said system to a zero count after a certain count of said electrical pulses has been received, said reset means providing an output pulse to a carry over output line reflecting a predetermined number of said electrical pulses received by said system and said reset means being responsive to a separate reset pulse for de-energizing said beam generating means and returning said system to a zero count at any point in the count of said electrical pulses.

3. A counting tube system capable of counting electrical pulses comprising in combination, an evacuated envelope having at one end means for generating and projecting an electron beam, a plurality of target electrodes positioned at the other end of said envelope in a manner to be individually contacted by said electron beam, electrostatic deflection means positioned between said beam generating means and said target electrodes for successively deflecting said electron beam to each of said target electrodes in response to said pulses, said deflection means including an electrostatic deflection plate and a plurality of oppositely positioned deflection plates, said plurality of deflection plates being individually electrically connected to said plurality of target electrodes, said deflection plate in response to one of said electrical pulses to be counted causing said electron beam to be successively deflected to the next of said target electrodes, a voltage being capable of being generated by each of said target electrodes in response to contact by said electron beam energizing said electrode, said voltage being reflected through said electrical connections energizing a corresponding one of said plurality of deflection plates, said energized electrode being capable of causing said electron beam to be deflected to contact said energized target electrode after the discontinuance of said electrical pulse, and output lines connected to each of said target electrodes.

4. A counting tube system capable of counting electrical pulses comprising in combination, an evacuated envelope having at one end means for generating and projecting an electron beam, a plurality of target electrodes positioned at the other end of said envelope in a manner to be individually contacted by said electron beam, electrostatic deflection means positioned between said beam generating means and said target electrodes for successively deflecting said electron beam to each of said target electrodes in response to said electrical pulses, said deflection means including an electrostatic deflection plate and a plurality of deflection plates positioned consecutively along the path of said electron beam and oppositely of said deflection plate, each of said plurality of deflection plates being electrically connected to an individual one of said plurality of target electrodes, said electron beam in contacting each of said target electrodes being capable of generating a voltage condition thereon, said voltage condition on each of said target electrodes energizing a corresponding one of said plurality of deflection plates through said electrical connections, said deflection plate in response to one of said electrical pulses to be counted being capable in conjunction with an energized one of said deflection plates of causing said electron beam to be deflected to the next succeeding one of said target electrodes, and output lines connected to each of said target electrodes.

5. A counting tube system capable of counting electrical pulses comprising in combination, an evacuated envelope having at one end means for generating and projecting an electron beam, a plurality of target electrodes positioned at the other end of said envelope in a manner to be individually contacted by said electron beam, electrostatic deflection means positioned between said beam generating means and said target electrodes for successively deflecting said electron beam to each of said target electrodes in response to said electrical pulses, said deflection means including an electrostatic deflection plate and a plurality of deflection plates positioned consecutively along the path of said electron beam and oppositely of said deflection plate, each of said plurality of deflection plates being electrically connected to an individual one of said plurality of target electrodes, said elec-trontbeam in contacting each of said target electrodes being capable of generating a voltage condition thereon, said voltage condition on each of said target electrodes energizing a corresponding one of said plurality of deflection plates through said electrical connections, said deflection plate in response to one of said electrical pulses to be counted being capable in conjunction with an energized one of said deflection plates of causing said electron beam to be deflected to the next succeeding one of said target electrodes, said voltage condition on individual ones of said plurality of deflection plates causing deflection of said electron beam in a manner that only a portion of said electron beam contacts a corresponding one of said target electrodes, said individual ones of said plurality of deflection plates in response to said voltage condition on said target electrodes being capable of causing a greater portion of said electron beam to contact said electrodes in response to a decrease in the magnitude of voltage on said target electrodes, and output lines connected to each of said target electrodes.

6. A counting tube system capable of counting electrical pulses comprising in combination, an evacuated envelope having at one end means for generating and projecting an electron beam, a plurality of target electrodes arranged at the other end of said envelope in spaced relationship in a manner to be individually contacted by said electron beam, electrostatic deflection means positioned between said beam generating means and said target electrodes for successively deflecting said electron beam to each of said target electrodes in response to said electrical pulses, said deflection means including an electrostatic deflection plate and a plurality of deflection plates positioned consecutively along the path of said electron beam and oppositely of said deflection plate, each of said plurality of deflection plates being electrically connected to an individual one of said plurality of target electrodes, said electron beam in contacting each of said target electrode-s being capable of generating a voltage condition thereon, said voltage condition on each of said target electrodes being capable of energizing a corresponding one of said plurality of deflection plates through said electrical connections, said deflection plate in response to one of said electrical pulses being capable in conjunction with an energized one of said plurality of deflection plates of causing said electron beam to be deflected to the next succeeding one of said target electrodes, said energized one of said plurality of deflection plates being capable of holding said electron beam in its deflected position to contact said corresponding target electrode after the discontinuance of said electrical pulse supplied to said deflection plate, and output lines electrically connected to each of said target electrodes.

7. A counting tube system capable of counting electrical pulses comprising in combination, an evacuated envelope having at one end means for generating and projecting an electron beam, a plurality of target elec trodes arranged at the other end of said envelope in spaced relationship in a manner to be individually contacted by said electron beam, electrostatic deflection means positioned between said beam generating means and said target electrodes for successively deflecting said electron beam to each of said target electrodes in response to said electrical pulses, said deflection means including an electrostatic deflection plate and a plurality of deflection plates positioned consecutively along the path of said electron beam and oppositely of said deflection plate, each of said plurality of deflection plates being individually electrically connected to an individual one of said plurality of target electrodes, said electron beam in contacting each of said target electrodes being capable of generating a voltage condition thereon, said voltage condition on each of said target electrodes being capable of energizing a corresponding one of said plurality of deflection plates through said electrical connections, said deflection plate in response to one of said electrical pulses being capable in conjunction with an energized one of said plurality of deflection plates of causing said electron beam to be deflected to the next succeeding one of said target electrodes, said energized one of said plurality of deflection plates being capable of holding said electron beam in its deflected position to contact said corresponding target electrode after the discontinuance of said electrical pulse supplied to said deflection plate, capacitance means electrically connected to each of said target elec trodes for momentarily retaining said voltage condition on said corresponding one of said deflection plates after said electron beam has been deflected from said target electrode, and output lines electrically connected to each of said target electrodes.

8. A counting tube system capable of counting electrical pulses comprising in combination, an evacuated envelope having at one end means for generating and projecting an electron beam, a plurality of target electrodes arranged at the other end of said envelope in spaced relationship in a manner to be individually contacted by said electron beam, electrostatic deflection means positioned between said beam generating means and said target electrodes for successively deflecting said electron beam to each of said target electrodes in response to said electrical pulses, said deflection means including an electrostatic deflection plate and a plurality of deflection plates positioned consecutively along the path of said electron beam and oppositely of said deflection plate, each of said plurality of deflection plates being individually electrically connected to an individual one of said plurality of target electrodes, said electron beam in contacting each of said target electrodes being capable of generating a voltage condition thereon, said voltage condition on each of said target electrodes being capable of energizing a corresponding one of said plurality of deflection plates through said electrical connections, said deflection plate in response to one of said electrical pulses being capable in conjunction with an energized one of said plurality of deflection plates of causing said electron beam to be deflected to the next succeeding one of said target electrodes, said energized one of said plurality of deflection plates being capable of holding said electron beam in its deflected position to contact said corresponding target electrode after the discontinuance of said electrical pulse supplied to said deflection plate, each of said electrical connections between said target electrodes and said upper deflection plates being connected to an output circuit, and each of said electrical connections being connected to ground through a variable resistance and capacitance circuit connected in parallel.

9. A counting tube system capable of counting electrical pulses comprising in combination, an evacuated envelope having at one end means for generating and projecting an electron beam, a plurality of target electrodes arranged at the other end of said envelope in spaced relationship in a manner to be individually contacted by said electron beam, electrostatic deflection means positioned between said beam generating'means and said target electrodes for successively deflecting said electron beam to each of said target electrodes in response to said electrical pulses, said deflection means including an electrostatic deflection plate and a plurality of deflection plates positioned consecutively along the path of said electron beam and oppositely of said deflection plate, each of said plurality of deflection plates being individually electrically connected to an individual one of said plurality of tar-get electrodes, said electron beam in contacting each of said target electrodes being capable of generating a voltage condition thereon, said voltage condition on each of said target electrodes being capable of energizing a corresponding one of said plurality of deflection plates through said electrical connections, said deflection plate in response to one of said electrical pulses being capable in conjunction with an energized one of said plurality of deflection plates of causing said electron beam to be deflected to the next succeeding one of said target electrodes, said energized one of said plurality of deflection plates being capable of holding said electron beam in its deflected position to contact said corresponding target electrode after the discontinuance of said electrical pulse supplied to said deflection plate, capacitor means electrically connected to each of said target electrodes for providing a predetermined waveform to the voltage rise on individual ones of said target electrodes in response to contact by said electron beam, means for shaping the waveform of said electrical pulses to be counted in a manner that the waveform of the trailing edge of said electrical pulses substantially corresponds in time and shape with the leading edge of said waveform on said target electrodes, and output lines electrically connected to each of said target electrodes.

10. A counting tube system capable of counting electrical pulses comprising in combination, an evacuated envelope having at one end means for generating and projecting an electron beam, a plurality of target electrodes arranged at the other end of said envelope in spaced relationship in a manner to be individually contacted by said electron beam, electrostatic deflection means positioned between said beam generating means and said target electrodes for successively deflecting said electron beam to each of said target electrodes in response to said electrical pulses, said deflection means including an electrostatic deflection plate and a plurality of deflection plates, each of said plurality of deflection plates being positioned consecutively along the path of said electron beam and being spaced in successively increasing distances from said deflection plate, each of said plurality of deflection plates being electrically connected to an individual one of said plurality of target electrodes, said electron beam in contacting each of said target electrodes being capable of generating a voltage condition thereon, said voltage condition on each of said target electrodes being capable of energizing a corresponding one of said plurality of deflection plates through said electrical connections, said deflection plate in response to one of said electrical pulses being capable in conjunction with an energized one of said plurality of deflection plates of causing said electron beam to be deflected to the next succeeding one of said target electrodes, said energized one of said plurality of deflection plates being capable of holding said electron beam in its deflected position to contact said corresponding target electrode after the discontinuance of said electrical pulse supplied to said deflection plate, and output lines electrically connected to each of said target electrodes.

11. A counting tube system capable of counting electrical pulses comprising in combination, an evacuated envelope having a longitudinal axis and at one end means for generating and projecting an electron beam, a plurality of target electrodes arranged at the other end of said envelope in spaced relationship in a manner to be individually contacted by said electron beam, electrostatic deflection means positioned between said beam generating means and said target electrodes for successively deflecting said electron beam to each of said target electrodes in response to said electrical pulses, said deflection means including an electrostatic deflection plate and a plurality of deflection plates positioned consecutively along said longitudinal axis and oppositely of said deflection plate, each of said plurality of deflection plates being electrically connected to an individual one of said plurality of target electrodes, said electron beam in contacting each of said target electrodes being capable of generating a voltage i2 condition thereon, said voltage condition on each of said target electrodes being capable of energizing a corresponding one of said plurality of deflection plates through said electrical connections, said deflection plate in response to one of said electrical pulses being capable in conjunction with an energized one of said plurality of deflection plates of causing said electron beam to be deflected to the next succeeding one of said target electrodes, each of said plurality of deflection plates having a diflerent spacing from said lower deflection plate, said spacing for each one of said plurality of deflection plates determining the sensitivity of said plate in deflecting said electron beam, said ones of said plurality of deflection plates being spaced the greatest distance from said deflection plate being electrically connected with said target electrodes positioned nearest said longitudinal axis, said energized one of said plurality of deflection plates being capable of holding said electron beam in its deflected position to contact said corresponding target electrode after the discontinuance of said electrical pulse supplied to said deflection plate, and output lines electrically connected to each of said target electrodes.

12. A counting tube system capable of counting electrical pulses comprising in combination, an evacuated envelope having at one end means for generating and projecting an electron beam, a plurality of target electrodes arranged at the other end of said envelope in spaced relationship in a manner to be individually contacted by said electron beam, electrostatic deflection means positioned between said beam generating means and said target electrodes for successively deflecting said electron beam to each of said target electrodes in response to said electrical pulses, said deflection means including an electrostatic deflection plate and a plurality of deflection plates, each of said plurality of deflection plates being positioned consecutively along the path of said electron beam and being spaced substantially equal distances from said deflection plate, each of said plurality of deflection plates being electrically connected to an individual one of said plurality of target electrodes, said electron beam in contacting each of said target electrodes being capable of generating a voltage condition thereon, said voltage condition on each of said target electrodes eing capable of energizing a corresponding one of said plurality of deflection plates through said electrical connections, said deflection plate in response to one of said electrical pulses being capable in conjunction with an energized one of said plurality of deflection plates of causing said electron beam to be deflected to the next succeeding one of said target electrodes, said energized one of said plurality of deflection plates being capable of holding said electron beam in its deflected position to contact said corresponding target electrode after the discontinuance of said electrical pulse supplied to said deflection plate, and output lines electrically connected to each of said target electrodes.

13. An electronic counting tube system capable of counting electrical pulses comprising in combination, an evacuated envelope having at one end means for generating and projecting an electron beam toward a plurality of target electrodes positioned at the other end, said electrodes being arranged in spaced relationship in a manner to be individually contacted by said electron beam, electrostatic deflection means positioned between said beam generating means and said target electrodes for successively deflecting said electron beam to each of said target electrodes, said deflection means having an electrostatic deflection plate and a plurality of oppositely positioned deflection plates, said electron beam being capable of passing between said electrostatic deflection plate and said plurality of electrostatic deflection plates, said plurality of deflection plates including an individual one of said plates for each of predetermined ones of said target electrodes, said predetermined ones of said target electrodes being electrically connected 'to a corresponding one of said plurality of deflection plates, each of said plurality of deflection plates being positioned consecutively along the path of said electron beam and being spaced in successively increasing distances from said lower deflection plate, differentiating means for receiving a series of electrical pulses to be counted and for supplying pulses to said deflection plate in response thereto, said deflection plate in response to said pulses causing said electron beam to be successively deflected to each of said target elec trodes, electron collecting means positioned in close proximity to said target electrodes, said target electrodes releasing electrons to said electron collecting means in response to the impact of said electron beam, said electron beam in contacting each of said target electrodes creating a voltage condition thereon, said voltage condition on said target electrode causing a voltage condition to exist on its corresponding one of said plurality of deflection plates through said electrical connection, said energized one of said plurality of deflection plates causing said electron beam to be held in its deflected position to contact said corresponding target electrode after the discontinuance of said electrical pulse supplied to said deflection plate.

14. A counting tube system capable of counting electrical pulses comprising in combination, an evacuated envelope having at one end means for generating and projecting an electron beam, a plurality of target electrodes for responding to contact by said electron beam and for providing output pulses reflecting the number of times said electron beam is deflected, each of said target electrodes having a voltage generated thereon in response to contact by said electron beam, individual beam deflection means for successively deflecting said electron'beam to each of said target electrodes in response to said electrical pulses to be counted, means for supplying said voltage present at the one of said target electrodes contacted by said beam to a corresponding target electrode for stabilizing said electron beam in the deflected condition to contact said one of said target electrodes until a subsequent electrical pulse to be counted is received by said deflection means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,224,677 Hanscan Dec. 10, 1940 2,394,196 Morgan Feb. 5, 1946 2,599,949 Skellett June 10, 1952 2,641,699 Gloess June 9, 1953 2,719,248 Josephson Sept. 27, 1955 2,781,171 Hagen Feb. 12, 1957 2,896,112 Allen July 21, 1959 

